ABS Talent ID Coach, Danny Lee, has provided a report from the GB Junior Championships that were held last weekend.
Following on from the fantastic performances of our Youths in Wales, our Juniors also competed with distinction south of the border in the latest of the 2013 GB three nation championship events held in Warrington
Team Scotland were second in the medal table with a tally of 4 Gold, 4 Silver and 12 Bronze medals.
Gold medal winners:
Callen McAuley V Michael Price (England) – There was a distinct clash of styles between both counter punching southpaws in this bout. Callen tried to draw his opponent with only a few clean shot’s scoring in the first round, the second round was similar but Callen landed a three punch combination after he blocked and came back with the punches. Price was sent out with clear instructions to win the last round, however, some nice exchanges from Callen ensured he won by a majority.
Steven Knox versus Liam Taylor (Wales) – Steven was on a high after two great wins in Ireland. Right from the start his speed, distance and movement was excellent. A series of beautiful combinations in this contest rounded of a great season for Steven who ended up a unanimous winner.
William Hutchinson versus Kieran Jones (Wales) – This bout saw William back to his best, with fast punching and movement. William took the first round and the second followed a similar patter with Jones trying to get back into the contest. He was denied the chance to make any significant inroads because of William’s superior speed. William controlled the contest from start to finish, winning the bout unanimously.
John Docherty versus Declan Kenny (Wales) – From the beginning of the bout, John’s long range back hand was the major difference in this contest. John’s movement was excellent throughout and, with his style, Kenny never knew if he was in distance or out of distance. Well done to John who after two very good wins in Ireland, won unanimously for his GB junior title.
Silver medal winners:
Leighton McKenzie versus Tommy Smith (England) – Leighton boxed well in the semi-final and with nothing between both boxers in the first two rounds, it was all depending on the last round. The English boxer started fast and seemed to move quicker is this round, scoring, slipping and moving were the tactics against the stronger Scottish boxer however Smith won unanimously.
John Stevenson V Charlie Kenny (England) – John boxed with poise, controlling long distance going forward and on the back foot against a very tough fighter who was successful taking the medium and short distance. John was ahead going into the last round and the English boxer pulled out all the stops out to win. The the last round was fast and hard with both boxers trying to control their distances (Stevenson, long distance and Kenny medium and short) and Kenny was unanimous winner.
Kieran McMaster V Dalton Smith (England) – Kieran boxed a very strong switch hitter and body puncher in this final. Kieran tried to back him up but the English boxer was strong and determined to win this contest, throwing hard body punches (although a few seemed to go south of the border/below the belt). Kieran’s best work was done when he pushed his opponent back. Smith won by R.S.C 3rd
Connor Greenan V Dino Smith (Wales) – Connor was the much cleaner puncher in this contest but the higher work-rate from the Welsh boxer clinched the GB Junior title for him. Dino Smith won majority
Bronze medal performances:
1998
38kg – Zac Davies (Eng) v Dylan Arbuckle (Scotland) – Southpaw Davies boxed well enough on the back foot to nick enough points to take the verdict.
44kg – Jimmy McDonagh (Eng) v Callum Cook (Scotland) – Nothing separated McDonagh and Cook going into the final round, but the English boxer upped his pace enough to force an 8 count in the last 30 seconds to win the bout.
46kg – Morgan Bosely (England) v Neil McCubbin (Scotland) – there was some classy boxing from Bosely who switched attack throughout. An injury in the final round forced the referee to stop the contest in favour of the English boxer.
54kg – Ryan Garner (England) v William Stuart (Scotland) – the English 1998 born team captain Garner engaged in a superior technical bout beating William Stuart, one of Scotland’s best performers this season.
57kg – Harris Akbar (England) v Daniel Allen (Scotland) – Akbar used his long reach and ring movement to register an deserved victory against the very game Daniel Allen.
1997
46kg – Elliott Whale (England) v David Dalziel (Scotland) – David is a a much improved boxer this season and again after two great wins in Ireland David was gutted losing to Whale by majority.
48kg – Jake Spooner (England) V Matt Middleton (Scotland) – This contest was an even match throughout and maybe on another day Matthew would have come out on top. Spooner won by majority
50kg – Dean Thompson (England) v Jack Crawford (Scotland) – This contest was there for the taking and the coaches are sure Jack would have won this on another day. Thompson won by snatching the majority.
52kg – Sid Williams (England) v Joe Murray (Scotland) – Three classy rounds from two excellent boxers saw the majority go the way of the English boxer Williams.
60kg – Danny Barrett (England) v Lewis Hay (Scotland) – In what could only be called a physical chess match, Barratt upped the gears in the final round to take the decision by majority.
63kg – Jimmy Smith (England) v Paul Greenhorn (Scotland) – Paul boxed a very strong boxer in Jimmy Smith who soon proved to be too powerful for southpaw Connor. Smith won by R.S.C 1st
80kg – Viddal Riley (England) v Sean Robertson (Scotland) – This was a baptism of fire for Sean boxing at this level and he came up against an opponent with good movement, fast hands and a bit of flare which led to the Londoner winning unanimously.
